Recycling centre to open despite objections

Almost 200 objections to the waste site were lodged over traffic and flooding fears

Plans for a recycling centre have been approved despite nearly 200 objections from residents and businesses.

The site in Bath is expected to open in summer 2026 and will replace an existing city centre site on Midland Road, where 176 homes are being built.

Campaigners claim the new site, at Locksbrook Road, is too small, could cause heavy traffic congestion and is at risk of flooding.

However, leaders of Bath and North East Somerset Council, which on Wednesday approved the plans, said the centre will be "state of the art" and any negative traffic impact will be "limited".

Campaigners staged a protest outside Bath's Guildhall ahead of the meeting.

Following the decision, members of the Stop the Locksbrook Tip group said they were "disappointed, but entirely unsurprised".

A total of 189 people lodged objections online, while five others wrote comments of support.

Campaigners held a protest outside the Guildhall in Bath before the site was approved

The facility will process 20% less waste than the Midland Road centre, and will not accept DIY, electronics, hazardous waste, batteries, tyres, oil, asbestos or gas bottles.

These items will now need to be taken to Keynsham Recycling Centre on Pixash Lane.

Speaking in favour of the plans, Chris Beaver of environmental consultancy PlanningSphere said the Midland Road site was due to close and the new location would keep recycling in Bath.

Waste will not be processed at the site itself. Instead skips will be collected when they are full and taken to the Keynsham centre.

The Midland Road site will remain open until Locksbrook centre is ready.